3 Ways to Promote Cleaner Air Inside the Home This April
While people typically discuss the quality of the air outside and what humans can do to improve it, indoor air quality is often neglected. Homes can often have much worse air quality than the outside due to dust, allergens, VOCs, cigarette smoke, etc.
As the idea of spring cleaning comes to the forefront, keeping the air in the home cleaner should be an area that is not forgotten. It is not at all difficult to make small changes to give a home’s indoor air quality a boost.
Plants: Nature’s Air Purifiers
House plants are a simple and energy-efficient way to help improve indoor air quality since plants absorb CO₂ and release O₂ into the atmosphere. This principle of basic biology still holds even in the microenvironment of a house. While all plants filter air, some do it better than others by filtering out other harmful substances like formaldehyde. Here are some of the best houseplants for clean air:
- Peace Lily
- Chrysanthemum
- Aloe Vera
- Weeping Fig
- Ficus
- Spider Plant
- Mother-In-Law’s Tongue (aka the snake plant)
Mechanical Options for Filtering the Air
Many human-made forms of filtration can greatly improve indoor air quality. Highly efficient air filters can be fitted for the HVAC system of the entire home, and there are separate air scrubbing units that can assist in a particular problem area or a room that is frequently used. Here are a few of the options and how they work:
- HEPA Filters: High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters have been used for many years to remove pollen, dust, and other allergens from the air. An HVAC system must be specially tuned to use one of these, so check with local experts.
- Air Scrubbers: These are units that attract directly to a central air conditioning system and filter a wide range of pollution and harmful particles.
- Ion Filters: These plug-in room filters use static electricity to attract particulate matter in the air. They are great for allergens and dust but don’t do much for viruses and bacteria.
- UV Light Filters: These filters use ultraviolet light to sanitize the air, killing bacteria and viruses. When used in combination with HEPA or ion filters, they are great for cleaning and purifying the air.
Regular Air Conditioning Maintenance
If a home’s air conditioning system is dirty, there is no way to completely mitigate that with other filters. Everything will have to work harder than it should reach acceptable air quality levels. Getting AC maintenance done twice a year will guarantee that a homeowner’s central air is working at its cleanest and most efficient.
The air filters in any system should be cleaned or replaced a minimum of twice a year and can be replaced every three months for maximum cleanliness. Not only does this make for cleaner air, but it also saves money on energy costs.
About Central Heating
Since its founding fifteen years ago, Central Heating has been dedicated to providing excellent workmanship to the residents of the Barrie, ON area. They offer straightforward pricing, financing options, and 24-hour emergency services. Call them today for indoor air quality services in Hawkestone, ON.
